Turkey's Altay tank: A new era in European armoured power
Among the European NATO members, Turkey is the top tank power. The Turkish army operates various types of tanks from different generations, but in 2025, it will begin deploying a new domestically designed tank, the Altay. What do we know about it?
The Turkish army currently operates at least 2,300 tanks (some sources report up to 3,000) and uses a wide range of armoured equipment. However, a significant proportion of these are gradually being retired, including old American first- and second-generation tanks—the M48 and M60 Patton—armed with 105 mm guns.
The M60 tanks modified in Israel offer slightly enhanced capabilities—165 units named M60 Sabra, with stronger armour, a fire control system, and a more powerful 120 mm gun. Turkey also operates over 300 Leopard 1 tanks and a comparable number of Leopard 2A4 tanks in several variants.
A generational change in the Turkish armoured forces will come with the next type of tank. As one of the few European NATO countries, Turkey has not opted to purchase the new version of the German Leopard 2, choosing instead the work of its domestic industry—the Altay tank.
Turkish tank with Korean DNA
The Altay is a Turkish main battle tank developed in cooperation with the South Korean corporation Hyundai Rotem. They also manufacture the K2 tank, which Poland has purchased. Thanks to a South Korean technology transfer, the Turkish tank includes many solutions that are identical or similar to those in the South Korean design.
The Altay is approximately 7 metres long and weighs about 65 tonnes. Its protection is ensured by composite armour, the Turkish variant of the Korean KSAP (Korean Special Armour Plate) and the Turkish AKKOR active protection system.
The Altay's armament is a Turkish-made variant of the Korean 120 mm CN08 gun, which is also used in the K2 tank. Unlike the K2's three-person crew, the Altay's crew consists of four people. Turkey has chosen not to use an autoloader in its tank.
Until a domestic solution is developed, the Turkish tank's propulsion system is provided by a Korean power unit consisting of a DV27K engine and EST15K transmission. Despite the slightly shorter hull length than the K2, the Altay has seven road wheels instead of six. This is due to its nearly 10-tonne greater weight, resulting in improved armour. The Altay is also equipped with an entirely Turkish fire control system.
Although the development programme for this tank has been delayed by many years, the first Altay units—initially with the Korean power system—are expected to enter service in August 2025. Turkey plans to produce up to 1,000 of these machines.
